"I wouldn't give that guy anything," Cherry told radio station WEEI in Boston of the 8-year, $76 million extension Malkin agreed to with the Penguins last week.

"I think he's a dog, a talented dog. He turns it on when he wants to turn it on. He couldn’t play for the Bruins, I'll tell you that. You're going to say, 'Well, what about (Jaromir) Jagr?' Jagr's out there giving every ounce he’s got every time. I don’t know if he can score, but he’s giving every ounce he can. You can't compare them."

Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby failed to register a point in the Eastern Conference final when they were swept in four games by the Boston Bruins. Malkin, who was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009, was especially critical of himself after losing Game 4 to the Bruins.

But Cherry said he wouldn't build a team around the 26-year-old Russian.

"I wouldn’t have that Malkin. I know he's talented, I know. But to me, he's a loser, as far as I'm concerned."

Although Cherry said his opinion of Crosby has changed.

"When he first came into the league, he was a hot dog, falling down, whining all the time. He's a pretty good hockey player. He's the best hockey player in the world, still, I think."